The Lakers and Timberwolves are locked into a first round playoff matchup. Minnesota pulled an upset win in Game 1, with the 117-95 victory. It was a huge game that saw the Lakers waste their home-court advantage and put massive pressure on them to rebound with a win in Game 2.
Los Angeles started Game 2 hot, leading 34-15 after the first quarter. The Lakers did it without one of their prominent role players, as forward Rui Hachimura missed most of the first quarter after being hit in the face. He had to come out of the game and went back to the locker room.
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Here are the latest injury updates on Hachimura in Game 2 against Minnesota.
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Rui Hachimura injury update
It's been a physical series so far, and we are only in the second game, and that continued with 12 fouls in the opening quarter of Game 2.
Naz Reid was trying to get around a Lakers defender and make his way to the paint. He ended up clipping Hachimura who got hit in the face. Hachimura immediately came out and went right back to the locker room, where he spent the rest of the quarter.
Rui Hachimura gets a shot in the face from Naz Reid and he is headed to the locker room (with a replay) pic.twitter.com/R24bF3n4mj
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 23, 2025
We don't know the extent of the injuries for Hachimura, and may not until the end of the game. For now, the forward has returned to the Lakers' bench wearing a mask.
Rui Hachimura has emerged from the Lakers' locker room wearing a mask.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 23, 2025
With 6:46 left in the first half, Hachimura has returned to the game in his clear mask. He was instantly targeted by the Minnesota offense and picked up a foul. Los Angeles now has two players wearing masks. No. 30 Jordan Goodwin is also wearing a mask, but his is dark.
Well, that was short-lived. After about six minutes of game time, Hachimura ditched the mask, and stayed in the game. When the second half began, the Lakers forward was once again wearing a mask. This time, he was wearing a darker mask closer to what Goodwin has been wearing.
Hachimura finished the game. He played 34 minutes and had 11 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block.
Rui Hachimura season stats
Here are Hachimura's per-game stats for the 2024-2025 season.
| Season | Games | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3FG% | FT% |
| 24-25 | 59 | 31.7 | 13.1 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 50.9% | 41.3% | 77.0% |
Hachimura does a little bit of everything for Los Angeles. He helps add length to the lineup, but is also a favorite target for point guard Luka Doncic on the wings. Hachimura only played seven minutes before getting hurt. He currently has two points, two rebounds and a steal.